News from the NNI Community - Research Advances Funded by Agencies Participating in the NNI

Researchers at MIT and the U.S. Department of Energy’s Argonne National Laboratory have designed a new class of small molecules that spontaneously assemble into nanoribbons with unprecedented strength, retaining their structure outside of water. For the past couple of decades, scientists and engineers have been designing molecules that assemble themselves in water, with the goal of making nanostructures, primarily for biomedical applications such as drug delivery or tissue engineering. But these structures fall apart in the absence of water. These small molecules, however, retain their structure outside of water, which could inspire a broad range of applications.

Researchers at MIT and the U.S. Department of Energy’s Argonne National Laboratory have designed a new class of small molecules that spontaneously assemble into nanoribbons with unprecedented strength, retaining their structure outside of water. For the past couple of decades, scientists and engineers have been designing molecules that assemble themselves in water, with the goal of making nanostructures, primarily for biomedical applications such as drug delivery or tissue engineering. But these structures fall apart in the absence of water. These small molecules, however, retain their structure outside of water, which could inspire a broad range of applications.

Researchers from New York University, the College of Staten Island, and the U.S. Department of Energy’s Sandia National Laboratories have revealed how room-temperature phase transitions occur between atomically thin, 2-D hexagonal-phase boron nitride and cubic-phase boron nitride. The work involved application of pressure to atomically thin films of hexagonal-phase boron nitride with a number of atomic layers (from one to ten) by using an atomic force microscope (AFM). To test the extent of the phase transition from hexagonal to cubic crystalline structure, the AFM nanoscopic tip probe simultaneously applied pressure and measured the material’s elasticity.

Researchers from New York University, the College of Staten Island, and the U.S. Department of Energy’s Sandia National Laboratories have revealed how room-temperature phase transitions occur between atomically thin, 2-D hexagonal-phase boron nitride and cubic-phase boron nitride. The work involved application of pressure to atomically thin films of hexagonal-phase boron nitride with a number of atomic layers (from one to ten) by using an atomic force microscope (AFM). To test the extent of the phase transition from hexagonal to cubic crystalline structure, the AFM nanoscopic tip probe simultaneously applied pressure and measured the material’s elasticity.

Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis have developed a microneedle patch that can help detect small amounts of antibodies in interstitial fluid. The researchers used fluorescence nanolabels to detect protein biomarkers present in small amounts in interstitial fluid. The signal from the target biomarkers in samples was approximately 1,400 times brighter than that from conventional fluorescent labels.

Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis have developed a microneedle patch that can help detect small amounts of antibodies in interstitial fluid. The researchers used fluorescence nanolabels to detect protein biomarkers present in small amounts in interstitial fluid. The signal from the target biomarkers in samples was approximately 1,400 times brighter than that from conventional fluorescent labels.

By embedding carbon nanotubes in the fibers of a bandage, scientists at the University of Rhode Island have created a continuous, noninvasive way to detect and monitor an infection in a wound. The "smart bandage" can be monitored by a miniaturized wearable device, which wirelessly detects the signal from the carbon nanotubes in the bandage. The signal can then be transmitted to a smartphone-type device that automatically alerts the patient or a health care provider.

By embedding carbon nanotubes in the fibers of a bandage, scientists at the University of Rhode Island have created a continuous, noninvasive way to detect and monitor an infection in a wound. The "smart bandage" can be monitored by a miniaturized wearable device, which wirelessly detects the signal from the carbon nanotubes in the bandage. The signal can then be transmitted to a smartphone-type device that automatically alerts the patient or a health care provider.

Scientists at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) have miniaturized the optical components required to cool atoms down to a few thousandths of a degree above absolute zero. Light is launched from an optical integrated circuit using a device called an extreme mode converter. The converter enlarges the narrow laser beam, which then strikes an ultrathin film known as a metasurface, which is studded with tiny nanopillars that act to further widen the laser beam. The dramatic widening allows the beam to interact with and cool a large collection of atoms. 

Scientists at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) have miniaturized the optical components required to cool atoms down to a few thousandths of a degree above absolute zero. Light is launched from an optical integrated circuit using a device called an extreme mode converter. The converter enlarges the narrow laser beam, which then strikes an ultrathin film known as a metasurface, which is studded with tiny nanopillars that act to further widen the laser beam. The dramatic widening allows the beam to interact with and cool a large collection of atoms.